Tap Driver?
 

Our team tapped a lot of parts oru rookie year and we wanted to get a tap driver? ( I hope thats what its called)

Basically we are tapping a lot parts for some prototypes we are working on and were wondering if anyone could advise a tapping center to buy ranging from $100 - $500 bucks. We are really looking to buy a high quality piece of machinary.

Thanks!

Re: Tap Driver?
 

Well I know you can do it with some sort of mill bit, do you have a mill?

Re: Tap Driver?
 

I'm sure equivalents can be purchased elsewhere, but here are some things I would get:

Ratcheting tap handle set: 8340A21
Tap aligner: 2548A12
Mini Tap Driver: 2704A11
Tap Magic for aluminum: 1413K44
'Whirly-gig' deburring tool: 4289A35 (gotta break those sharp edges before they break the tap)

Just as a general note, I would only buy 2-flute taps, preferably TiN coated. It greatly decreases the chance of breaking a tap off in a part in my experiences with inexperienced students. The coated taps might cost a little more, but they will last much longer.

Re: Tap Driver?
 

I will second the suggestion of TiNi or higher end taps. We bought a High Speed Steel uncoated set to give us a variety of sizes and by the halfway point of the season the 1/4-20 tap is noticeably duller from tapping a lot of anodized aluminum, I am recommending they buy a more expensive replacement for it. The other sizes we rarely use so the money saved is worth it.

Re: Tap Driver?
 

Perhaps something like this is what you're looking for?

http://www.phase2plus.com/details.as...plies&id=15 9

Re: Tap Driver?
 

If you have a drill press or mill that will accept the proper shank and run at the right speed, there are tapping heads available. You might find a used Tapmatic or Procunier head on eBay, or there are imports from Grizzly or a place like this:

http://tool.wttool.com/tools/Tapping%20Head

Re: Tap Driver?
 

I can highly recommend a Procunier Brand tapping head.

We use one for our production tapping needs and it works beautifully.

Re: Tap Driver?
 

We just picked up this hand tapper this year. Seems pretty nice. I've used it a few times already this year and it is worth what we spent.

Re: Tap Driver?
 

That looks good. Thanks for the link, perhaps we shall get one too. Wow, this one is even cheaper. http://littlemachineshop.com/product...ProductID=2539

I had no idea these were so reasonably priced.

Re: Tap Driver?
 

There are also various types of tap guides and spindle tappers that can help align the tap. These can be variously used on lathes/drill presses/by hand.

http://tool.wttool.com/tools/Tap%20Guide

That Little Machine Shop tapper looks nice for the price.

Re: Tap Driver?
 

Anthony,

Is there a certain one you'd recommend?

Thanks!

-RC

Re: Tap Driver?
 

I only have experience with the model I have...which is an older version that is definitely oversized....it can go up to a 1" tap. :eek:

I picked mine up cheap when I bought the drill press that it was attached to.

I'm sure they don't make this particular version any longer, but I'll grab the model info from it later.

I can recommend using a drill chuck rather than tap drivers. The drill chuck is faster IMHO and allows the tap to slip if anything binds up. I've never broken a tap using mine at about 400 RPM which is a little faster than I'd prefer, but the slowest my drill press will go.

Re: Tap Driver?
 

Take a look at Rivnuts. Installation of the hardware is a snap and can provide a high quality thread with more threads per inch. Also take a look at pemnuts and pem standoffs.

Why tap into aluminum when you can press in a steel fastener in a fraction of the time?

Re: Tap Driver?
 

Several reasons come to mind. In general, Rivnuts are not always possible for a given situation.

My vote is for the Procunier or Tapmatic if I had to tap more than a dozen holes.

Re: Tap Driver?
 

In general most screws and bolts are made from steel or stainless. When tapping aluminum and inserting a steel/stainless screw the effects of galling can have an adverse effect. Anodizing can help but in general tapping aluminum for a standard screw is a no no. Use a similiar metal for mating threads. Use helicoils or Pem F series flush nuts or CLS series pem nuts if space is an issue. In terms of manufacturing cost it is much cheaper to insert threaded inserts that to manually tap multiple holes

If you guys are still looking try these

http://www.greenlee.com/archive/MA-4426.pdf

or BOSCH 1462 VS 3/8" TAPPER